This weekend, I’m attending my second Dallas WordCamp, a local event that showcases not just the amazing WordPress blogging system, but things you can do to make you a better blogger, designer, and community builder.

I attended my first WordCamp last year and I had an absolute blast.  I felt very at home in an auditorium full of mostly techy geeks–many of them even geekier than me in some ways!  I sat in a sea of mostly MacBooks and MacBook Pros.  I on the other hand was rocking my portable yet underpowered Eee PC, tethered to a precious spot on the power strip.  Though I didn’t want to admit it at the time, the Eee PC was more of a conversation piece than a true mobile workhorse.  I was working with a less that satisfactory Windows Mobile phone that was far outstripped by the iPhones I could see other people using.  Hell, the thing didn’t even want to make calls properly, let alone do anything fancy.  I felt almost lost–I was usually the most “techy” person in a group, but I had clearly met my matches at WordCamp.

WordCamp is a place that showcases technology, not just for what it can do for blogging, but what it can do for attendees.  That was my first chance to see mobile technology in widespread action, not just how I applied it to my day to day or specialized needs.

This year I am rocking much better technology with my Dell Mini 9 Hackintosh and my iPhone 3G.  Unlike last year, I don’t have to stay tethered to a power strip to stay connected (although I did, mostly because it was there).  I have better processing power, better battery power–and that translates into better communication power in a setting like WordCamp.

Because I have mobile technology that actually works as advertised in a mobile setting, I am able to connect that much more with the presenters and my fellow attendees.  I’m able to see a running conversation about the event, and contribute to that conversation as it happens.  I have choices in how the information being given out gets to me, and I have avenues to even more information as it is shared in the group.  Would I be able to do that with my Eee PC and my sadly dumb smartphone?  Yes, I would–but would I be able to do it as easily, or as elegantly?  Probably not.

I think there is something very important in having a setup that works for you; having the perfect gear is not necessarily about having the newest and fastest laptop, or an HD camera in your bag at all times.  It’s about having the kind of equipment that can get you through the day at a place like WordCamp, that can allow you to communicate and create and evolve on the go.

I find it fascinating to watch technology become a part of our lives and the way we work, play, learn and communicate with each other.  WordCamp is an excellent study in that, not just from a macro level but from a microscopic level, watching each individual participate in their own way with their own gear.  I love watching mobile technology in action, used the way it was intended to be used.

I really am disappointed that the rainbow stickers don’t work, though…I was really looking forward to having a reminder of my vintage Apple roots.  The very first computer I used was an Apple ][, which was a part of my family from the time I was about 3 or 4 until we got an IBM PC when I was 15.  I may look into getting a custom skin or decal with the rainbow Apple down the road.

Thankfully, I was prepared for the possibility that the rainbow sticker wouldn’t work (I was mostly concerned about size) and also ordered two of the gorgeous chrome decals from DecalsPlanet.  I had seen pictures of both a black and a white mini with the chrome decal and it looked so cool I had to get some for myself.  Now my Mini and my iPhone are practically twins! I love how shiny the chrome sticker is, and it covers the Dell logo completely.  Transformation to MacBook Mini is complete!

So far, I’ve decided on a Hoodie Laptop Case by Built NY.  I really love the way their cases are made, and I was pleased to find out that they finally make a netbook-sized case.  When I was looking for one for my Eee PC, they didn’t have one.  I got mine in the surprisingly cute and girly Microdots pattern for less than $30 shipped from Amazon.  It is made to fit laptops sized 7″-10″ and features a sturdy EVA plastic shell on the underside and stretchy, protective neoprene on the top.  There is also a pocket on the back (separated by the hard shell) for cords, cables, or other accessories.  I think it will be the perfect case to carry the Mini in alone or inside one of my many purses or bags.  I think I will get the matching portable hard drive case for my Western Digital Passport 250GB drive.

I am considering getting a travel-sized Bluetooth mouse to use with my Kensington USB Bluetooth Micro Adapter.  I bought it to use with my Eee PC, and since I so rarely use Bluetooth I thought it would be dumb to spend extra on my Mini 9 when I already have a perfectly good receiver.  I want something that is really compact, attractive, and not too expensive.  So far I’m looking at the Logitech V470 in white.  It’s a bit more than I’d like to pay, but I really like the look of it, and it has gotten good reviews across the board.  It is something I could use on any one of my computers, too, which is an extra bonus.  When I was doing some design work last weekend at my mother-in-law’s house, I was really wishing that I had a Bluetooth mouse.  Photoshop + trackpad = crappy.

And, since I’m going to Hackintosh my Mini 9 and load up OS X on it, I thought that this awesome vintage Apple decal would be the perfect decoration!  I’m going to cover the Dell logo with it and shock everyone with my adorable MacBook Mini.  I think the rainbow will look great on the white case of the Mini.  I grew up with the Apple ][ line of computers and have always preferred the rainbow Apple logo to any other logo since then.  It’s bright and cheerful, and it takes me back to a time when a green-on-black monitor and giant floppy disks made me happier than just about anything in the world.

Do you have any accessory recommendations?  Like the decal? Which mouse would you get?  Talk back in the comments.

I have taken to poring over the My Dell Mini forums for tips, tricks, and planning my Hackintosh netbook journey in the meantime.  Plus, I’m still warm and happy over the specs of my new baby.  It is just flat out so much more powerful than my Eee PC.  I got the 32GB SSD drive and the 1.3MP webcam, no other real frills to speak of.  I have a USB Bluetooth micro-receiver for when I need to use Bluetooth (which is rare) and I have a stick of 2 GB RAM to put in when the Mini finally arrives on my doorstep.  I wanted to get the pink Mini, but that was an extra FORTY BUCKS.  What a total ripoff, Dell!  So, I got the Alpine White instead.  If I really feel the need to make it pretty, I’ll throw down $15-20 on a skin and call it a day.  Bonus: the white will match my iPhone!

I can’t wait to get my new baby from Dell…it’s going to be a long 23 days in the meantime.

Honestly, if I had known how the netbook craze would blow up, I probably would have held off on the Eee 701 to see what else was introduced before I threw down the cash.  It’s not that I am really unhappy with my Eee, but as the newer netbooks have been introduced, it quickly became apparent that maybe it wasn’t the best fit for me.  The size is perfect–it’s really the kind of laptop I can just toss in my bag and go.  But for a power user like me, it’s a bit underpowered and the screen is too small.  If I relegate it to just surfing the web or writing the occasional post or bit of my novel while I’m out and about, it’s great…but now that I’ve seen what some of the newer netbooks can do, I want more.  I’d also like more storage, a slightly bigger keyboard, and better screen resolution.  Oh, and having a hackintosh netbook wouldn’t be so bad…I want my MacBook Tiny!

I feel a little disloyal to my pretty pink Eee PC, but I am hoping it will be going to a good home very soon where someone can appreciate it.  Next week, I will be ordering a Dell Mini 9 and I cannot WAIT to receive it.  Eee PC, you’ve been great, but it’s time for us to go our separate ways.